Northwoods Ridgedale Cruiser Build

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biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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This morning I decided to start installing the electrical. First thing I did was install the throttle grip. The instructions said to drill a 1/4" hole in the bars, but that would have been way too big. A 1/8" hole was just right. I dicided to put the CDI in top of the crank, under the motor. I started running and soldering wires till the mailman showed with my hub adapter, then I spent the rest of the day installing it.

I did have to bend my coaster brake arm a little to clear the sprocket bolts, and then I had to grind a little metal off the arm to clear the frame.







My thanks to biardco for explaining how to remove the arm. I didn't know how to do it, but after reading his post it truely was easy as pie.
 
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biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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Hey where'd all my pics go?

I may not quite have this picture thing figured out all the way yet.
 
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biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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I think I need to install the cables before trying to finish the electrical. I noticed some people run some of the wires with the cables.
 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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I guess you noticed I work about as fast as grass grows. Today I installed the cables. Took me forever. In order to do that I had to install the intake manifold. Before I could do that I had to clean it up a little with my dremel. Then I had to search the forum because I didn't knoow how much to torque the nuts to. Then the throttle cable was to long. Had so search some more to find out how to shorten a cable. Finally got that sorted out.

Only real issue now is just the chain tensioner. I ran all my wires under the engine, but haven't hooked them together yet. Not too worried about the wireing, I'm good at that.

Just the chain is bothering me a little. I don't like how much slop it has, but I don't see any way out of it. Maybe I'll think better tomorrow, it's late now.

The help I'm getting from this forum is wonderful.
 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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This is how my chain tensioner ended up. I spent all day reinforcing the bracket I made yesterday because I could see a slight amount of flexing when rolling the motor over. Now it looks solid.

 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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My first ride report,

I took down the street. Got up to about 7 mph and let out the clutch. It popped a couple of time but didn't start. I reached down and cut the choke back to 1/2 and it started right up. It seemed to be running good so I turned the choke off all the way.

Now we're cruising. Noticed I'm getting RF interference on my speedo. I rode up and down my block about 10 times. My 40 tooth sprocket is pretty tall for this little girl. Vibration is nonexistent. The exhaust is very quite. I never got over about 15 mph.

I love her.









 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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409
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Dallas
I forgot to mention total weight with 1 qt fuel is 56.2 lbs. The bicycle alone was 30 lb.
 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
6,631
409
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Dallas
My approximant total cost, including shipping and taxes. Costs can go up if you need any tools, like I did.

$150 Northwoods Ridgedale Beach Cruiser
$125 Zoom Cycle 48cc kit
$075 Pirate cycle hub adapter & 415 chain
$040 REI Rear Rack
$036 Profile Design Dual Bottle Cage.
$032 2 petcocks
$040 2 30oz fuel bottles
$005 Spark Plug Cap
$007 Stars hockey puck
$003 NGK Spark plug
$003 1 3/4" muffler clamp
$002 Plug Wire
$030 Misc Hardware & Raw Stock
$002 1/4" Fuel Line
$002 Metal Fuel Tee

$552

Whew, wait till Buffy finds out about this. She's going to have a $%!t attack.

In addition to all this, I also bought but didn't use a clamshell adapter and sprocket for about $90, and a ZTR spring loaded chain tensioner for $85. I also spent about $40 more on some tools I needed. I don't have many metrics.

Still compared to the prices I'm used to paying for parts for my Harleys this is nothing.
 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
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409
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Dallas
I had my first cop encounter today. I was waiting at a stop sign and he drove by at the intersection. He eyed me as he drove past, but just kept going. My motor wasn't running, but I don't think he knew that.
 

biknut

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Sep 28, 2010
6,631
409
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Dallas
I been riding all over creation. Gone through over a qt of gas so far. Already had a couple of minor issues.

First I got a flat tire yesterday, thanks to a staple in my best friends driveway. Took me 30 minutes to replace the inner tube. Takes me all day to replace a tire on one of my motorcycles.

Then I noticed my rear wheel had too much play in the rear hub bearings. Took 5 minutes to adjust the bearing end play.

Next it started dying at idle when I came to stop signs. I thought maybe the spark plug might be fouling, but it turned out to just be the idle stop screw loosening up from vibration. This caused me to discover a performance enhancement though, because when I thought the plug was fouling I switched from a NGK B6HS to a BP6HS extended reach plug. This increased the top speed about 2-3 mph, and has mo betta throttle response. Before changing the plug I had noticed it wouldn't quite take full throttle, but now it does.
 

Dave31

Active Member
Mar 1, 2008
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Aztlán, Arizona
I been riding all over creation. Gone through over a qt of gas so far. Already had a couple of minor issues.

First I got a flat tire yesterday, thanks to a staple in my best friends driveway. Took me 30 minutes to replace the inner tube. Takes me all day to replace a tire on one of my motorcycles.

Then I noticed my rear wheel had too much play in the rear hub bearings. Took 5 minutes to adjust the bearing end play.

Next it started dying at idle when I came to stop signs. I thought maybe the spark plug might be fouling, but it turned out to just be the idle stop screw loosening up from vibration. This caused me to discover a performance enhancement though, because when I thought the plug was fouling I switched from a NGK B6HS to a BP6HS extended reach plug. This increased the top speed about 2-3 mph, and has mo betta throttle response. Before changing the plug I had noticed it wouldn't quite take full throttle, but now it does.
Those are common problems that can occur with a new ride, except the flat. After you get the bugs worked out you should have no problems... well hopefully.

Keep an eye out on that rear hub, it may take a few times of adjusting the cones before you get it just right. What a sweet ride biknut (^)